Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) gathered in the ship's hangar bay to celebrate the frocking of 12 new senior chief petty officers, June 6.

John C. Stennis' newest senior chiefs are:

Senior Chief Machinist's Mate Adam Burkett
Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Scott Comer
Senior Chief Air Traffic Controller Andrew Dorich
Senior Chief Machinist's Mate Jomar Dulay
Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Jack Fitch
Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Thomas Funderburk
Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Jason Garcia
Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Jacob Gardner
Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Luke Golden
Senior Chief Aviation Electrician's Mate Joel Hagstrom
Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Rick Hayes
Senior Chief Machinist's Mate Robert Purviance.

"Today we have the honor of recognizing a bunch of our shipmates ... who go above and beyond, every day, to make sure that John C. Stennis and the Navy are better places for all Sailors, and we get to recognize a milestone that they are achieving in their careers as they move on to the rank of senior chief," said Capt. Greg Huffman, John C. Stennis commanding officer.

Members of the Chiefs Mess pinned senior chief anchors on the selectees' uniform collars and presented them with their senior chief combination covers. The new senior chiefs received their frocking letters from Huffman, and after the ceremony, Sailors from the audience came forward to congratulate them.

"Becoming a senior chief means the Navy has recognized our experience and sacrifice, and the sacrifices our families have made," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Jason Garcia, from Tampa, Florida. "It takes good Sailors around you to become a senior chief. I couldn't have done it without their hard work."

Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment.

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